Important Questions: Population: Distribution, Density, Growth & Composition | Geography Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: What was the total population of India according to the 2011 census, and what percentage of the world's population did it represent?
Ans: The total population of India according to the 2011 census was 121.02 crores, representing 16.7% of the world's population.

Q2: In terms of population and area, where does India rank globally?
Ans: India ranks 2nd in terms of population and 7th in terms of area worldwide.

Q3: When was the first complete census held in India?
Ans: The first complete census in India was held in 1881.

Q5: Which state in India has the highest population density, and what is the density?
Ans: Bihar has the highest population density in India, with 1102 persons per square kilometer.

Q7: What are the average birth rate and death rates in India?
Ans: The average birth rate in India is 21 per thousand, and the death rate is 7.9 per thousand.

Q8: How many villages are there in India according to the 2011 census?
Ans: According to the 2011 census, there are 6,40,867 villages in India.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q9: What is the significance of the year 1921 in India's demographic history?
Ans: The year 1921 marked a significant shift in India's population growth. Until 1921, the population remained relatively stable. However, after 1921, there was a steady increase in population, leading to rapid growth in subsequent decades.

Q10: Explain the factors responsible for the high rate of population growth in India.
Ans: The high rate of population growth in India can be attributed to several factors, including a decline in death rates due to improved medical facilities, increased life expectancy, and a fall in infant mortality rates. Additionally, migration from neighboring countries and internal migration for better economic opportunities have contributed to the rapid growth.

Q11: Describe the occupational structure of the population in India based on the 2001 census data.
Ans: According to the 2001 census data, more than half of the main workers in India were engaged in agricultural activities. Cultivators accounted for 31.71% of the workforce, while agricultural laborers constituted 26.69%. The rest of the workforce was divided between workers in household industries (4.07%) and other workers (37.58%) engaged in non-agricultural activities.

Q12: Discuss the factors responsible for the declining trend in the sex ratio in India.
Ans: The declining trend in the sex ratio in India can be attributed to social biases favoring male children, leading to female infanticide and neglect. Additionally, higher mortality rates among females, especially during childhood and reproductive age, contribute to the decline. Pre-birth sex determination leading to female foeticide is another significant factor.

Q13: Explain the concept of arithmetic density of population. Why is it considered a crude measure of population density?
Ans: Arithmetic density of population is calculated by dividing the total population of an area by its total land area, usually expressed per square kilometer. However, it is considered a crude measure because it does not take into account the distribution of population within the area. It includes uninhabitable or less habitable areas, making it less sensitive to variations in population density.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q14: Describe the geographical distribution of different language families in India.
Ans: The people of India display a high degree of diversity in their languages. The languages spoken by the people can be classified into four language families.
1. Austric Family: The Austric languages are spoken by 6.2 million people in India. These include languages spoken by tribal people. Munda language is spoken by tribal groups of Santhals, Mayurbhanj, Ranchi, Betul and Baudh Khondmahals (Jharkhand). 
The Mon Khmer Khasi language is spoken in Khasi and Jaintia hills of Meghalaya. Nicobari language is spoken in Nicobar Island.

2. Sino-Tibetan Family: These languages are spoken by tribal groups of Himalayan Region. Tibeto-Himalayan group includes Tibetan, Balthi, Ladakhi, Lahauli, Bhutia, Kanauri and Lepcha. Ladakhi has the largest number of speakers. 
North-Assam group includes Aka, Drafla, Abor, Miri and Mishmi Mishing mostly spoken in Arunachal Pradesh. The Assam-Burmese group includes Bodo, Naga, Kochin and Kukichin.

3. Dravidian Family: These languages are spoken in Deccan plateau region. It includes Tamil (Tamil Nadu), Malayalam (Kerala), Kannada (Karnataka) and Telugu (Andhra Pradesh). There is less diversity in this group of languages. It also includes Kin, Parji, Khond, Tulu, Kurgi, etc.

4. Aryan Family: It has two main branches : Dardic, Aryan. The majority of people speak these languages. 
Hindi is the principal language spoken by the majority of people. Hindi is the main language in Northern plains. Urdu, Sindhi, Marathi, Konkani, Oriya, Bangla, Punjabi, Rajasthani, Marwari are other important languages in different regions. Hindi occupies the fourth place in the World. Urdu is very akin to Hindi and is widely spoken in this belt.

Q15: Describe briefly the factors responsible for the variations in the density of population in India.
Ans: Density of population means the average number of people living in a sq. km. area. It is called arithmetic density. It is calculated as under :
Density of population = Total population/Total area
Density of population of India in 2011persons per sq. km.
With this average density of 382 persons per sq. km, India is considered to be one of the densely populated countries of the world.
Distribution of Population: The population in India is not evenly distributed among different states. Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu are the most populous states of India while Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura are sparsely populated states. The factors affecting the distribution of population can be grouped into three classes:

• Physical factors
• Socio-economic factors
• Demographic factors

The following factors determine the density of population:

• Relief of the Land. Plain areas attract more population than mountains and plateaus. It is so because in plains, it is easy to conduct business, industry and farming. Against this, in the mountainous areas like Himachal Pradesh and Meghalaya the density is low. It is so because in hilly areas facilities like flat land, transport, irrigation, etc. are not available for the conduct of trade, industry and farming. A high density of population is found in the fertile plains of the Ganga and Sutlej.
• Climate. The extremely cold climate of Ladakh and northern Himachal Pradesh, extremely hot climate of Thar Desert in Rajasthan and wet climate of Meghalaya discourage human settlement.
• Rainfall. Areas with regular and moderate rainfall are densely populated. For instance, in West Bengal, density of population is 1029 per sq. km. due to the adequate rainfall which is beneficial for farming.
• Irrigational Facilities. If the rainfall is scanty in an area but irrigational facilities are available, agriculture becomes possible which in turn supports large population. It is for this reason that we find high density in the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu where water is available for irrigation.
• Soil. Deep, fertile soils are suitable for agriculture. River valleys, deltas and lowlands are the most productive areas. River valleys are densely populated areas. There is sparse population in region of poor soils.
• Minerals. The presence of mineral deposits supports a high population density. New towns have sprung up in Damodar valley due to presence of minerals. Coal, water power and petroleum help in the location of industries. These industrial areas support a large population.
• Rivers and water supply. Rivers are the main source of water supply. Most of the towns are located along the banks of rivers. The ancient civilisation grew up in the river valleys. Deserts are sparsely populated due to shortage of water.
• Agriculture. Productive areas can generally support dense population. In West Bengal, three crops a year are obtained in rice-cultivating areas. Therefore, West Bengal has high density of population in agricultural areas. Areas adopting modern high yielding crops have high density of population like Punjab.
• Means of transportation. Means of transportation affect industries, agriculture and trade of region. Areas with developed and means of transportation attract population. Inaccessible areas like mountains are sparsely populated.
• Demographic factors. Fertility, mortality, migration and urbanisation also affect the distribution of population.

Q16: Discuss the trend of urbanisation in India with special reference to the post-independence period.
Ans: Urbanization in India, especially in the post-independence period, has been a significant and complex phenomenon. India, which was primarily an agrarian economy at the time of independence in 1947, has witnessed a rapid increase in urban population and the growth of cities and towns. Several factors have contributed to this trend of urbanization in India:
1. Population Growth: India's population has been steadily increasing since independence. The population explosion has put pressure on rural resources and led to migration towards urban areas in search of better opportunities and living conditions.

2. Industrialization and Economic Opportunities: The post-independence period saw a shift from agrarian economy to industrial and service sectors. Urban areas became hubs of economic activities, offering jobs in manufacturing, services, and technology sectors. This attracted a large population from rural areas to cities.

3. Infrastructure Development: Investments in infrastructure development, such as better transportation, communication, and healthcare facilities, have made urban areas more attractive for habitation. Urban centers offer better access to education, healthcare, and other essential services.

4. Government Policies and Programs: Various government policies and programs have been implemented to promote urban development. Initiatives like Smart Cities Mission and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) aim to enhance the quality of life in urban areas, making them more habitable.

5. Globalization and Urban Influence: Globalization has led to the growth of industries and services in urban centers, making them more cosmopolitan and diverse. This cultural diversity often attracts people from different regions and backgrounds.

6. Rural-Urban Migration: Rural-urban migration is a significant factor contributing to urbanization. People migrate from rural areas to cities in search of better employment opportunities and improved living standards, leading to the growth of urban areas.

7. Technological Advancements: The IT and technology boom in India has led to the growth of tech hubs in cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Pune. This has not only attracted skilled professionals but also encouraged the establishment of various industries and businesses.

8. Challenges and Issues: Despite the opportunities, urbanization in India has also brought forth challenges.

• Infrastructure Strain: Urban areas often struggle with inadequate infrastructure, such as housing, sanitation, water supply, and waste management, leading to slums and poor living conditions.
• Social Disparities: Urbanization has led to increased income disparities. While some segments of the population benefit from economic growth, others struggle with poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to basic amenities.
• Environmental Degradation: Rapid urbanization puts stress on the environment. Issues like air and water pollution, deforestation, and increased waste generation become more prominent in urban areas.
• Urban Planning Challenges: Unplanned urban growth has led to congestion, traffic problems, and inadequate public transport. Urban planning often struggles to keep up with the pace of urbanization.